Category: Dental Trauma

There is nothing worse than discovering a toothache. You take a bite of your favorite food and WHAM! A shooting pain overwhelms your entire mouth and you can no longer look at your favorite food the same. Sadly, it’s time to visit the dentist.

But what exactly is a toothache and how did we end up in this kind of pain? Well, there are lots of different ways a toothache can occur. It can be as simple as a cracked tooth, cavities or exposed roots; but it can also be something more serious, like your ears or sinuses causing the issue.

When it comes to pain, each one of us has a different threshold of pain tolerance. Some can work through a headache, some are taken out at the first signs of one. Because both headaches and toothaches are detected by the same trigeminal nerve in your head, there is no real way to crack the case without the help of your dental professional.

In the end, it is important to pay attention to the signals your body gives you when something is wrong. Ignoring the pain will only lead to more problems, so make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you find headaches or toothaches are persistent. There’s nothing to be afraid of. The technological advancements in dentistry makes dental procedures easy and virtually painless. This is why it’s so important to take care of your teeth. Good oral hygiene is the best line of defense against a toothache.

If you are seeking help to improve your smile call Dr. Haines in Snohomish, WA at 360-568-8577 or visit www.tedhainesdds.com.

Did you know that close to 50,000 patients are diagnosed with oral cancer every year? And that’s just in the U.S. If caught quickly, there is a good chance it can be taken care of, but prevention is key. Because April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, let’s take a quick look at how we can stay on top of our health.

First there are risk factors to keep in mind. Excessive use of tobacco products is already bad for you, but if you have this particular habit, paying close attention to any sores or patches in your mouth. Alcohol use and poor diet also play into oral cancer signs. Physical trauma and exposure to infectious disease are also ways you may develop symptoms.

The best way to stay on top of your oral health is to give yourself a quick exam every month. With a bright light and a mirror, follow these guidelines:

If you wear dentures, remove them.

Look and feel the insides of your lips and front of your gums

Tilt your head and check out the roof of your mouth

Tug your cheek so you can analyze the surfaces and back of your mouth

Inspect all areas of your tongue

And feel your lymph nodes to make sure they aren’t getting enlarged and there are no lumps

You are trying to find any type of persistent sores or growths that may cause you to have issues eating, speaking. If you feel you may have symptoms of oral cancer, make an oral cancer screening appointment with your dental professional.

To find out more about oral cancer screenings, contact Dr. Ted Haines, DDS in Snohomish, WA at 360-568-8577 or visit www.tedhainesdds.com for additional information.

In honor of National Toothache Day, it seems only fitting to take a moment to talk about these painful oral issues. After all, toothaches are some of the worst pains because we use our teeth on such a regular basis. When one of them is in pain, it’s hard to ignore. But what exactly is a toothache?

First things first, there are triggers that let you know you have a toothache – and they are just normal everyday things we all do. Biting down on something hard, sweets and/or hot and cold drinks are likely to send a shooting pain through you, signaling you may need to make a dentist appointment.

Not only will pain be involved in your achy tooth, but there are a few physical symptoms your mouth will use to let you know that your tooth is not doing so hot. A throbbing pain in your mouth, swollen painful gums, a headache or even a fever are all symptoms that something is wrong in your mouth and should get checked asap. It may not always be a toothache; but leaving it untreated will not only increase the issue, but may make things much worse.

Because the tooth pain is an issue within the soft center of the tooth, inflammation can be caused by various dental issues. Cavities, infected tooth roots and gums, broken teeth and damaged fillings are all issues that need to be taken care of in a dental office during your regular checkups in order to prevent a toothache from developing.

According to the New York Times, more than 75% of adults in America will have some sort of gum disease in their lifetime. Gingivitis is the early stages of periodontal disease, caused by plaque formed along the gum line. Periodontal disease, like gingivitis, can cause your gums to become red, sore and inflamed. It could also cause your gums to bleed.

Thankfully, gingivitis is easily remedied. By continuing to brush, floss and rinse daily, you are going to be reversing the effects the gingivitis has on your gums. Visiting your dentist for a good office cleaning is also going to help heal any sort of gingivitis you may be developing. Because if left untreated, it will lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis will cause the inner layer of gum and bone to pull away. If left untreated, the spaces allow debris to collect, causing the gums to become infected.

We all know we need to keep a daily dental regime if we want our teeth to remain healthy. Visiting the dentist twice a year also takes proactive steps to keeping your smile bright. But if you do happen to develop some form of gum disease, worry not. There are ways you can heal those sore gums with regular everyday items.

Baking Soda. According to the Journal of Clinical Dentistry, baking soda toothpaste is great on your teeth because it helps loosen plaque in those areas harder to reach. For a DIY version, just mix a little bit of baking soda with some water and apply it to your gum line to help aid in keeping the area from getting infected.

Turmeric. Believe it or not, turmeric is the a natural aid for inflammation, which makes it ideal for treating gum disease. Just mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric to ½ teaspoon salt and mustard oil into a paste, and apply it to your infected gums twice a day.

Aloe Vera. Not only does aloe vera soothe a sunburn and aid in healing wounds, but you can also use the organic, food-grade gel to relieve the swelling and pain in your gums. It’s anti-bacterial properties is an all-around soothing agent for your inflamed gums.

Tea Tree Oil. When it comes to antiseptics, tea tree oil is one of the best we have. Just a couple of drops rubbed along the affected area will help ease the symptoms you’re feeling. In fact, it isn’t just limited to gum disease. Tea tree oil also works great on other oral infections, like thrush.

Clove Oil. When it comes to toothaches, nothing beats a little clove oil. But when you have gum disease, applying a little on your gums will help soothe the pain you feel along your gum line. However, using an all-natural clove toothpaste every few days is more beneficial as regular use of clove oil may cause damage to your teeth and gums from overuse.

Coconut Oil. Oil pulling is an ancient process that has tons of health benefits. Lauric acid is one of its components, which helps disinfect and reduce gum inflammation. A tablespoon every morning will naturally hydrate and protect your gums, making gum disease development difficult.

It is important to take care of our teeth by following a regular dental routine and regular dental visits. But when something unfortunate does arise, it’s nice to know there is something we can do to naturally help heal gum disease.

Are you afraid for going to the dentist? Have you ever asked yourself why? While there have been many excuses given as to why someone cancelled their dental appointment, most of the time, it is the fear of pain that makes them so skittish. And no matter how much you try to rest their minds at ease, it is this fear of the dental procedure that will cause someone to “tough through” the pain, rather than remedy it.

Now what if I told you that the dental industry has made great strides in trying to ease your fears? It’s true. With sedation dentistry, patients can have safe, mild forms of sedation while the procedure is being done, so they can relax calmly in the chair that gives the most anxiety. Additionally, the sedatives will also numb the areas that will be worked on, making the fear of pain during the procedure nonexistent. The anesthetic is temporary so by the time it wears off, the procedure is done and you were none the wiser. You may have to have a driver give you a lift home, but you are free and clear to leave after the procedure is complete.

There are many types of sedation available, and which you receive will depend on the procedure needed and your level of anxiety to have the procedure done. They can vary from minimal, where you are awake but feeling relaxed and calm about the procedure, to moderate, which leaves you awake but groggy. If you are in need of a more invasive procedure, you will need to have a stronger anesthetic given, one that will leave you awake, but you will have minimal consciousness. But if a major surgery is concerned, it is known that these are the procedures that give the patient the most anxiety. In this case, you will be given a general anesthetic that will leave you completely unconscious. You won’t be awake, you won’t feel anything, but you will definitely need a driver afterwards.

But how are they administered? For those that need minimal relief, it will generally be administered via a gas mask of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. No needles, no pain. For those that need a bit more, you will be given a pill to be taken orally prior to the surgery taking place. The reaction to it depends on the patient – some can stay awake, some are often groggy. For the extra-strength sedative, chances are you will need an IV. Not only will it keep you sedated throughout the procedure, but the dentist can adjust the dosage given to you the entire time. All versions are very safe and are generally paired with a topical anesthetic applied to the affected area. Not only will the anesthetic keep your mind off the situation at hand, but will truly keep it completely pain-free.

If you would like more information regarding sedation dentistry, contact Dr. Ted Haines, DDS in Snohomish, WA at 360-568-8577 or visitwww.tedhainesdds.comfor additional information.

Many people associate visits to the dentist with routine cleaning and occasional cavities, and hopefully for many people regularly cleaning will minimize the necessity of major dental work. However, no matter how thoroughly a patient brushes and flosses, or how routinely they have professional cleaning, some patients will experience physical trauma that will require an unplanned visit to the dentist.

In the event of trauma – perhaps a fall, or a car accident – that causes damage to one or more teeth, the patient should immediately contact a dentist. There are a number of different possible problems, and each of them have different treatments that are necessary. Here are a few possible problems, and their typical solutions:

– A chipped or fractured tooth will likely be corrected with either a tooth-colored filling or a cap or crown. If the inner pulp is exposed, a root canal and crown is likely required.

– A dislodged tooth that is pushed sideways or upward into the gum will generally require a root canal, and a dentist or endodontist will focus on stabilizing the tooth.

– A tooth that has been knocked out of its socket completely may be able to be saved if a patient arrives at the dentist in time, and the tooth is handled properly. The tooth root should not be touched, and it should be kept moist (either in the socket, in milk, or in the gum against your cheek). Rapid treatment is vital to saving the tooth, so the patient should get to a dentist immediately.

While some trauma is treatable, it’s occasionally true that the tooth may be lost due to the nature of the damage. After the initial treatment, your dentist or endodontist will likely recommend follow-up visits for quite some time – potentially as long as 4 or 5 years – to ensure that your mouth is coping with the damage to your teeth. If you feel a chip or crack, even if you believe it is minor, be sure to visit your dentist to ensure that the tooth is healthy and you’re not jeopardizing the tooth root by failing to treat the chip properly.

If you’ve experienced trauma, and have broken, chipped, dislodged, or knocked out a tooth, please contact our office immediately to schedule an appointment. Time is of the essence, and delaying an office visit may jeopardize your teeth.

Call Dr. Ted Haines DDS for more information on oral health or to make an appointment today at 360-568-8577 or visit the website at tedhainesdds.com.